A New Song

By Joe Slater       Six times in the Psalms, once in Isaiah, and twice in Revelation, Scripture speaks of “a new song.” Invariably it has to do with deliverance or salvation of some kind.     Psalm 33:3 exhorts, “Sing to Him a new song.” Why? Among many other reasons, “the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him . . . to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine” (vv. 18-19.     David had salvation from sin in Psalm 40:3 – “He has put a new song in my mouth.” What prompted this song? “My iniquities have overtaken Me . . . they are more than the hairs of my head . . . Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me” (vv. 12-13).     A more temporal “salvation” resulted in a new song in the other psalms. “Sing to the Lord a new song . . . Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day” Psalm 96:1. “O sing to the Lord a new song . . . His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory. The Lord has made known His salvation” (Psalm 98:1-2). “I will sing a new song to You, O God . . . the One who gives salvation to kings, who delivers David His servant from the deadly sword” (Psalm 144:9-10). “Sing to the Lord a new song” (Psalm 149:1) is followed by a call for the destruction of Israel’s enemies.     Isaiah’s call for a new song (Isaiah 42:10) anticipates the spiritual salvation that Jesus would provide in the Messianic age. That salvation has become a reality in Revelation 5:9 as the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders “sang a new song” praising Jesus the Lamb for being slain, redeeming us by His blood, and making us a royal priesthood. Innumerable angels and all of creation join in this song in 5:11-13. The great body of the redeemed in Revelation 14:3 is also said to sing a new song.     Salvation naturally results in singing praise! Do you have a new song in your heart?

- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Church of Christ in Justin, TX. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://justinchurchofchrist.com